“We’ve been here 15 years and it’s going great,” said a proud Lance McDaniel as the 2015 deadCenter Film Festival kicked off Wednesday morning with registration.

McDaniel, the festival’s executive director, said 15 years in and deadCenter is just hitting its stride, growing from one night into nearly a week of film.

“You get to see Oklahoma City grow as the festival has grown,” said volunteer Bryon Chambers.

It’s no surprise the industry is taking notice. Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma now all boast film schools, regularly producing a crop of young talent.

“Now when I want to make a movie here, I know that I can hire all locals to make the movie with me,” said McDaniel, who said this year’s festival will likely be the biggest yet.

Tickets are still for sale, but filmmaking panels are free to those who come. For more information, click here: www.deadcenterfilm.org.